Perforated Diverticulitis Research Articles

Perforated diverticulitis: To anastomose or not to anastomose? A national survey

Introduction and AimsNo consensus has been reached in the management of perforated diverticulitis. However, many surgeons opt for a Hartmann's procedure. A primary anastomosis has been shown to be a feasible alternative. We hypothesize that colorectal consultants and senior trainees are more likely to opt for a resection with primary anastomosis in selected cases than their non-colorectal counterparts. MethodsA national survey was conducted electronically. A questionnaire was distributed via training program directors and social media to general surgeons across the country, to assess their views on primary anastomosis in perforated diverticulitis. ResultsOf the 90 responses to the survey, 72.2% said they would only consider an anastomosis in purulent peritonitis, 18.9% in both faecal and purulent and 8.9% would never consider it. There was a significant difference in choice of operation depending on patient and operative risk factors but no difference between grades of training or subspeciality. ConclusionThe survey showed that high-risk patients are more likely to have an open Hartmann's procedure irrelevant of the grade or subspeciality of the surgeon. The choice of operation in the lower risk patients was varied.

Solitary Cecal Diverticulitis Mimicking Acute Appendicitis in A Child: Intraoperative Diagnosis

Right colonic and cecal diverticulitis can mimic acute appendicitis. A 14-year-old, 105-kg boy presented at the emergency department with symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis. Surgery revealed a case of perforated solitary cecal diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is a disease known to be common in adulthood, but the incidence is increasing in childhood. Therefore, emergency room residents and pediatric surgeons need to keep this diagnosis in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Early clarification of the etiology will enable the planning of the best treatment strategy.

Complicated Sigmoid Diverticulitis Presenting as Severe Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infection is a rare and aggressive medical and surgical emergency characterized by intense and severe tissue destruction, rapid onset systemic toxicity, and high mortality. Diverticulitis is a common complication of diverticular disease. However, its presentation as necrotizing soft tissue infection is rare. It is always important to identify the precipitating cause of necrotizing soft tissue infection to assist in appropriate treatment and risk stratification. Case Presentation: The patient was an 84-year-old female with a history of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with long-term steroid dependency. She presented to the emergency department with abdominal tenderness, left abdominal wall cellulitis, crepitus, and septic shock. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography findings showed intra-abdominal abscess secondary to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis with abdominal wall abscess and necrotizing soft tissue infection of abdominal wall, chest wall, groin, and back. After intravenous fluid resuscitation and antibiotics, the patient underwent urgent laparotomy. She was found to have a large abdominal wall abscess, perforated sigmoid diverticulitis, and extensive necrosis of the torso extending from the groin to chest wall including the back. Conclusion: Abdominal wall necrotizing soft tissue infection is an uncommon complication of perforated diverticulitis. In an elderly immunocompromised patient with septic shock, perforated diverticulitis, and necrotizing soft tissue infection, the prognosis is poor.

Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has certain advantages over open repair including less pain and earlier return to normal activity. Concurrent robotic inguinal hernia repair at the time of prostatectomy has been shown to have a lower recurrence rate than open repair. Robotic surgery adds high definition visualization and articulating instruments which enhances dexterity that makes laparoscopic hernia repair more refined. A series of robotic, laparoscopic, inguinal hernia repairs by a single surgeon with an extensive laparoscopic hernia experience at a single institution was undertaken to determine the role of robotic laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in minimally invasive surgery. Five hundred forty-two laparoscopic inguinal hernia operations were performed from April 2012 through December 2015. There were 154 cases of robotic transabdominal preperitoneal procedures done during that time. Hospital records and follow-up care were prospectively reviewed and data collected for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesia class, and operative time. Follow-up was done at 2, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery. All patients consented for the study. Ninety percent of the patients were male. Age averaged 57.04 years with a range of 21 to 85 years. American Society of Anesthesia averaged 2.01 with comorbidities of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease being the most common. Body mass index was between 19 and 31.6, averaging 24.34. Twenty-five patients (16%) had an umbilical hernia repair done concomitantly. Operating room time ranged from 25 to 140 minutes with an average of 63.6 minutes decreased as experience increased. One patient with a large, left scrotal hernia was converted to open; one patient developed perforated sigmoid diverticulitis seven days postop and case #5 recurred indirectly after a direct hernia repair. Four patients required prolonged postoperative Foley catheterization. Robotic inguinal hernia repair is safe and effective. Operating room time was longer than standard laparoscopic herniorrhaphy but decreased with experience. A single-port platform may have use in patients with umbilical hernias, 16 per cent, and will need to be studied.

An Update on the Current Management of Perforated Diverticulitis

The management of perforated diverticulitis is a challenging aspect of general surgery. The prevalence of colonic diverticular disease has increased over the last decade and will continue to increase as the baby boomers add to the elderly population. Improvements in diagnostic imaging modalities, efforts to maintain intestinal continuity, and percutaneous drainage procedures now result in several alternatives when selecting a management strategy for complicated presentations. Specifically, laparoscopic lavage and resection with primary anastomosis have emerged as options for treatment of Hinchey III and IV diverticulitis in place of diversion in the appropriately selected patient. Percutaneous drainage of Hinchey II diverticulitis in centers equipped with interventional radiology provides another minimally invasive adjunct. The objective of this paper is to provide an update on the current management of perforated diverticulitis, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of the surgical options for the treatment of Hinchey III and IV diverticulitis.

Naujas perforavusio dvylikapirštės žarnos divertikulo gydymas atliekant Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomiją

Dvylikapirštės žarnos divertikulai yra dažniausia divertikuliozės vieta plonojoje žarnoje. Nuo 1 % iki 5 % tokių divertikulų yra simptominiai ir pasireiškia skausmu, kraujavimu, uždegimu, cholestaze, cholangitu, obstrukcija, perforacija, pankreatitu ar piktybine transformacija. Pati sudėtingiausia komplikacija yra perforacija, kuri sudaro 0,03 %. Diagnozavus dvylikapirštės žarnos divertikulo perforaciją, tradicinis gydymas buvo paprasta divertikulektomija ir dvylikapirštės žarnos užsiuvimas dviem sluoksniais su retroperitoninio tarpo drenavimu. Pastaruoju metu aprašoma vis daugiau sėkmingų konservatyvaus ir kitokio chirurginio gydymo atvejų. Mes aprašome savo patirtį, susijusią su dvylikapirštės žarnos divertikulito gydymu atliekant Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomiją Shigeru Fujisaki metodu po nesėkmingo konservatyvaus gydymo.

Unusual Differential Disease Entity of Right Lower Abdominal Pain, Ileal Diverticulitis Perforation: A Report of Three Cases

Introduction: Small bowel diverticulum is a rare disease entity, and most cases are asymptomatic. However, diverticulitis can cause acute abdomen conditions like colonic diverticulitis. Depending on the location, various abdominal symptoms may ensue. Clinical manifestations of ileal diverticulitis may be similar to those of appendicitis and or colonic diverticulitis. Thus, making a diagnosis based on a physical examination alone may be challenging. Even though imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) may provide clues for a definite diagnosis, the majority of cases are confirmed through operation. Here, we present 3 cases of ileal diverticulitis perforation, which were not diagnosed preoperatively. Case presentation: A 71-year-old man, a 77-year-old woman, and a 78-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain. All 3 patients showed local peritoneal irritation signs in the right lower quadrant. Appendicitis or colonic diverticulitis was suspected, but CT scan results revealed free air and mesenteric fat infiltration around the terminal ileum, suggesting ileal perforation. During the operation in each case, terminal ileal perforation was confirmed, and ileocecal resection was performed. Subsequently, histologic examination revealed ileal diverticulitis perforation. Although the postoperative course was uneventful in the first and second patient, the third patient died of sepsis resulting from anastomosis leakage. Conclusion: These cases put forth unusual causes of right lower quadrant pain, which show physical findings similar to those of diverse inflammatory disease. Awareness of this disease is beneficial for making a differential diagnosis based on CT findings and eliciting prompt surgical management.

Acute perforated transverse colon diverticulitis simulating acute cholecystitis: case report and literature review

Transverse colon diverticulitis is a rare entity, described for the first time in 1944 by Thompson and Fox. Even more uncommon if presented with diverticular perforation of the colon. When ranking diverticula distribution by their anatomical location site, it has been set up that transverse colon is involved in an average of 10% of the cases, but diverticulitis or inflammation of these sacculations in this anatomical region only occurs in 0.5-2.5% of the cases. Female, 44 years old, who came to emergency room with acute abdominal pain as colic of 24 hours of evolution, Acute cholecystitis was considered as a first diagnostic possibility. Pain persistence and peritoneal irritation lead to an abdominal contrasted tomography (contrast IV). Oval formations protruding from the gut lumen in ascending and transverse colon were found, corresponding to diverticula. Patient was admitted in hospital and maintained in fasting period and with a double antibiotic scheme she was discharged on the 5th day of hospital stay. Transverse colon diverticulitis is a rare entity, there exist less than 50 cases reported in worldwide literature but it has been determined that patients with transverse colon diverticulitis are 15 and 20 years younger than patients with left colon diverticulitis. That is, average age of manifestation is about 45 years old. 85% of the cases have been described in women. Reports managed it successfully with antibiotics. The present report could be achieved favourably with a double antibiotic scheme, with no need of surgery.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using only 5-mm ports.

The technique of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has been evolving since it was first described over 20 years ago. We report a new technique where polyester mesh was back loaded through a 5-mm port site, coming into contact with the skin. This avoids the need for any 10-12-mm ports. A prospective database of laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs was examined. A single surgeon performed 344 laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs using this technique over 60 months. Follow-up was conducted by both clinical and independent phone review. Laparoscopic access was achieved via a 5-mm optical port, adding two, or occasionally three, 5-mm extra ports. Hernia contents were reduced and the extra-peritoneal fat excised; 5-mm tooth graspers were placed through the lateral port and then in a retrograde fashion through the uppermost port. The port was removed, and the mesh pulled back into the abdominal cavity and positioned with a minimum of 3-cm overlap. The mesh was fixed using absorbable tacks and sutures. Most patients had primary umbilical hernias. There was one case of mesh infection due to enteric organisms. This occurred in a patient undergoing repair of a stoma site hernia, resulting from a Hartmann's procedure for perforated diverticulitis. There was no other evidence of acute or chronic mesh infection despite cutaneous contact with the mesh. In this series, there was an overall hernia recurrence rate of 2.4%. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using only 5-mm ports is a safe, effective technique with no extra risk of infection.

To the O.R. and Back Again: A Case of Recurrent Jejunal Diverticulitis

A 43-year-old healthy man presented in 2015 with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting in the context of multiple prior self-resolving episodes of abdominal pain over a four-month period. He had an acute abdomen with CT imaging remarkable for acute perforated jejunal diverticulitis. In the operating room, he was found to have a loop of bowel 55 cm from the ligament of Treitz with a perforated diverticulum. Scattered jejunal diverticula were noted. Approximately 12 cm of small bowel was resected with primary anastomosis. Pathology revealed diverticulitis, serositis, and mural abscess (Figs. 1, 2). In 2016, the patient again presented with an acute abdomen and E. coli sepsis. CT imaging was notable for recurrent jejunal diverticulitis with microperforation and non-occlusive thrombi of the superior mesenteric and portal veins. Intraoperatively, there was chronic inflammation around the previous anastomosis. He was anticoagulated for the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein thrombi for six months. In the next year, he was admitted twice with recurrent diverticulitis that was medically managed. MR enterography was done to determine if the distribution of diverticula would be amenable to a limited small bowel resection, but imaging was unable to provide accurate characterization. Ultimately, he underwent elective resection of 43 cm of small bowel with diffuse diverticular disease (Fig. 3). Jejunal diverticula are reported in 0.06-1.3% of patients in autopsy series1. They are usually multiple, localized to the proximal jejunum, and associated with disorders of motility such as systemic sclerosis, visceral neuropathies, and myopathies2. The risk of complications is higher in jejunoileal diverticula compared to duodenal diverticula, including obstruction, diverticulitis, and bleeding2. Jejunal diverticula typically present with complications requiring surgical intervention in 8-30% of cases2. If perforation, abscesses, or mechanical obstruction are seen intraoperatively, resection of the diseased bowel is the most appropriate intervention3.Figure: Representative small intestinal diverticulum located in peri-intestinal fat.Figure: Peri-diverticular fibrosis and chronic inflammatory infiltrate consistent with remote small intestinal diverticulitis.Figure: Gross specimen of resected small bowel with diffuse diverticular disease.

“The abdominal catastrophe”

An open abdomen with multiple small intestinal fistulas is a highly challenging situation for the entire treating team and, in some cases, ultimately requires small bowel transplantation. In May 2015, a 55-year-old female patient was transferred to our department for evaluation for small bowel transplantation. Following appendectomy in childhood, the patient had had a complicated course with consecutive loss of small bowel. In May 2014, an even more complicated perforated sigma diverticulitis followed. The consequence was a small bowel high-output stoma with concomitant short-bowel syndrome. In March 2015, an attempt to reconstruct the passage failed and ended in an open abdomen with eight small intestinal fistulae, a contracted ileostomy and a defunctioned descendostomy. We firstly mobilized the stoma and conditioned the wound with almost daily changing of a vacuum dressing system (VAC®, KCI, International) by using a children’s pacifier. At 6 months after the previous abdominal operation, extensive adhesiolysis and conglomerate resection plus a jejunoileostomy and new installation of the descendostomy was performed. Approximately 80 cm of small intestine, 50 cm of colon plus the ileocecal valve could be preserved. The abdominal wall was closed cutaneously only. After 168 days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged with oral alimentation and supplementary parenteral nutrition only by night. With considerable nursing and surgical effort, the need for intestinal transplantation with all its complications can be avoided in selected cases. A children’s pacifier can help to make vacuum-assisted closure of the wound possible.

Gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer: A case report

Background Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women nowadays. According to published major studies, the most common sites of metastases of breast cancer are bone, lung, liver and brain. However, it can also metastasize rarely to the gastrointestinal tract. Among the different subtypes of breast cancer, gastrointestinal spread has been associated to infiltrating lobular carcinoma. We present a case of perforated acute diverticulitis that underwent surgery, in which the pathological exam informed of colonic metastasis of lobular breast carcinoma. Case report A 78-year-old woman, with medical history of high blood pressure, diabetes and left mastectomy performed 14 years ago for infiltrating lobular carcinoma (Stage T2N2M0), with positive estrogenic receptors. Oncological controls showed pleural and bone progression in the last year, so hormonal therapy was indicated. She was admitted to the emergency department due to 72 hours of left lower-quadrant abdominal pain associated with constipation and nausea. On examination she presented tenderness and a palpable mass in the left lower quadrant. Blood tests showed an increased leukocyte count of 13.5x103/µL with neutrophilia, a CRP of 356mg/L and high lactate levels (4.5mmol/L). An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a left inguinal abscess (6x8x7cm) communicating with an inflammatory mass involving the sigmoid colon, as well as extensive bone metastases, not visualized in previous CTs. An emergency Hartmann's procedure was performed. The postoperative period was uneventful. The pathological report of the surgical specimen informed of infiltration in multiple diverticula by a carcinoma, with morphological pattern and immunohistochemistry compatible with a lobular breast carcinoma. The patient was derived to the Department of Oncology to continue follow-up and hormonal therapy. Conclusions Gastrointestinal breast metastases are uncommon, however, we should consider this diagnosis in patients with tumoral progression presenting with abdominal symptoms. Metastatic patients should receive medical treatment, reserving surgery for complications like obstruction or perforation, as in the case presented.

Nonoperative management of perforated acute diverticulitis with extraluminal air: results and risk factors of failure.

The aim of this study was to analyze the results of nonoperative management of patients with perforated acute diverticulitis with extraluminal air and to identify risk factors that may lead to failure and necessity of surgery. Methods included observational retrospective cohort study of patients between 2010 and 2015 with diagnosis of diverticulitis with extraluminal air and with nonoperative management initial. Patient demographics, clinical, and analytical data were collected, as were data related with computed tomography. Univariate and multivariate analyses with Wald forward stepwise logistic regression were performed to analyze results and to identify risk factors potentially responsible of failure of nonoperative management. Nonoperative management was established in 83.12% of patients diagnosed with perforated diverticulitis (64 of 77) with an overall success rate of 84.37%, a mean hospital stay of 11.98±7.44days and only one mortality (1.6%). Patients with pericolic air presented a greater chance of success (90.2%) than patients with distant air (61.5%). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade III-IV (OR, 5.49; 95% CI, 1.04-29.07) and the distant location of air (OR, 4.81; 95% CI, 1.03-22.38) were the only two factors identified in the multivariate analysis as risk factors for a poor nonoperative treatment outcome. Overall recurrence after conservative approach was 20.4%; however, recurrence rate of patients with distant air was twice than that of patients with pericolic air (37.5 vs 17.39%). Only 14.8% of successfully treated patients required surgery after the first episode. Nonoperative management of perforated diverticulitis is safe and efficient. Special follow-up must be assumed in patients ASA III-IV and with distant air in CT.

Laparoscopic surgery without peritoneal space contamination in perforated acute abscedated diverticulitis of incarcerated inguinoscrotal hernia

Sixty seven year old male patient with hypotension, tachycardia, 38.5°C fever, tensioning left inguinoscrotal hernia and hyperemia (acute scrotum). By abdominal computed tomography, recto-sigmoid perforation in diverticulitis area with collection and free air in hernial sac, was observed.

THE CASE FILES

THE CASE FILES

One-year results of the SCANDIV randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic lavage versus primary resection for acute perforated diverticulitis.

Recent randomized trials demonstrated that laparoscopic lavage compared with resection for Hinchey III perforated diverticulitis was associated with similar mortality, less stoma formation but a higher rate of early reintervention. The aim of this study was to compare 1-year outcomes in patients who participated in the randomized Scandinavian Diverticulitis (SCANDIV) trial. Between February 2010 and June 2014, patients from 21 hospitals in Norway and Sweden presenting with suspected perforated diverticulitis were enrolled in a multicentre RCT comparing laparoscopic lavage and sigmoid resection. All patients with perforated diverticulitis confirmed during surgery were included in a modified intention-to-treat analysis of 1-year results. Of 199 enrolled patients, 101 were assigned randomly to laparoscopic lavage and 98 to colonic resection. Perforated diverticulitis was confirmed at the time of surgery in 89 and 83 patients respectively. Within 1 year after surgery, neither severe complications (34 versus 27 per cent; P = 0·323) nor disease-related mortality (12 versus 11 per cent) differed significantly between the lavage and surgery groups. Among the 144 patients with purulent peritonitis, the rate of severe complications (27 per cent (20 of 74) versus 21 per cent (15 of 70) respectively; P = 0·445) and disease-related mortality (8 versus 9 per cent) were similar. Laparoscopic lavage was associated with more deep surgical-site infections (32 versus 13 per cent; P = 0·006) but fewer superficial surgical-site infections (1 versus 17 per cent; P = 0·001). More patients in the lavage group underwent unplanned reoperations (27 versus 10 per cent; P = 0·010). Including stoma reversals, a similar proportion of patients required a secondary operation (28 versus 29 per cent). The stoma rate at 1 year was lower in the lavage group (14 versus 42 per cent in the resection group; P < 0·001); however, the Cleveland Global Quality of Life score did not differ between groups. The advantages of laparoscopic lavage should be weighed against the risk of secondary intervention (if sepsis is unresolved). Assessment to exclude malignancy (although uncommon) is advised. Registration number: NCT01047462 ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Laparoscopic Lavage in the Management of Perforated Diverticulitis: a Contemporary Meta-analysis

ImportancePerforated diverticulitis carries the risk of significant comorbidity and mortality. Although colon resection provides adequate source control, the procedure itself carries morbidity, as well as later stoma reversal procedures. The effectiveness of laparoscopic lavage to treat perforated diverticulitis remains unclear. ObjectiveWe aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate current studies comparing laparoscopic lavage with colon resection in cases of perforated diverticulitis for the effectiveness in source control, without the need for subsequent interventions, stoma formation, and death. Data SourcesElectronic database searches were conducted using EMBASE, Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane databases, and clinicaltrials.gov following PRISMA guidelines. Study SelectionRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included that compared laparoscopic lavage against colon resection for perforated diverticulitis. Data Extraction and SynthesisRisk of bias in RCT’s was assessed the Cochrane Assessment of Bias risk tool and Jadad scale. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main OutcomeOutcome measures included the total rate of reoperation, rate of reoperation for infection, need for subsequent percutaneous drainage, stoma formation, and mortality rate within 90 days. ResultsThree eligible randomized controlled studies were identified, with a combined total of 372 patients. Laparoscopic lavage carried an increased rate of total reoperations (RR 2.07; CI 1.12–3.84; p = 0.021) and an increased rate of reoperation for infection (RR 5.56; CI 1.97–15.69; p = 0.001) compared with colon resection. In addition, laparoscopic lavage increased the rate of subsequent percutaneous drainage (RR 6.54; CI 1.77–24.16; p = 0.005) compared with colon resection, but a lesser risk of stoma formation within 90 days (RR 0.18; CI 0.12–0.27; p < 0.001). No difference in mortality rate was observed between treatments (RR 1.03; CI 0.45–2.34; p = 0.950). ConclusionDespite decreased rates of stoma formation and equivalent mortality rates as compared with colon resection, laparoscopic lavage for Hinchey III diverticulitis fails to completely control the source of infection. Our data show that laparoscopic lavage is associated with increased rates of total reoperations, increased rates of reoperation for infections, and need for subsequent percutaneous drainage.

Hepato-bronchial fistula secondary to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis: a case report

BackgroundPatients with diverticulitis are predisposed to hepatic abscesses via seeding through the portal circulation. Hepatic abscesses are well-documented sequelae of diverticulitis, however instances of progression to hepato-bronchial fistulization are rare. We present a case of diverticulitis associated with hepatic abscess leading to hepato-bronchial fistulization, which represents a novel disease course not yet reported in the literature.Case PresentationA 61-year-old Caucasian man presented with a history of unintentional weight loss and dyspnea both at rest and with exertion. He had a significant tobacco and alcohol misuse history. A massive right-sided pleural effusion was found on chest X-ray, which responded partially to chest tube insertion. A computed tomography scan of his thorax confirmed the presence of innumerable lung abscesses as well as a complex pleural effusion. An indeterminate tiny air pocket at the dome of the liver was also noted. A follow-up computed tomography scan of his abdomen revealed a decompressed hepatic abscess extending into the right pleural space and the right lower lobe. A sigmoid-rectal fistula was also revealed with focal colonic thickening, presumed to be the sequelae of remote or chronic diverticulitis. An interventional radiologist inserted a percutaneous drain into the decompressed hepatic abscess and the instillation of contrast revealed immediate filling of the right pleural space, lung parenchyma, and bronchial tree, confirming a hepato-bronchial fistula. After two concurrent chest tube insertions failed to drain the remaining pleural effusion completely, surgical lung decortication was conducted. Markedly thickened pleura were seen and a significant amount of gelatinous inflammatory material was debrided from the lower thoracic cavity. He recovered well and was discharged 10 days post-thoracotomy on oral antibiotics. The percutaneous liver abscess tube was removed 3 weeks post-discharge from hospital after the drain check revealed that the fistula and abscess had entirely resolved.ConclusionsRefractory right-sided pleural effusion combined with constitutional symptoms should alert clinicians to search for possible hepatic abscess, especially in the context of diverticulitis. The rupture of an untreated hepatic abscess could lead to death from profound sepsis or rarely, as in this case, a hepato-bronchial fistula. Timely investigation and a multidisciplinary treatment approach can lead to improved patient outcomes.

Laparoscopic Lavage in the Management of Hinchey Grade III Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review.

To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic lavage and sigmoid resection in perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis. Peritonitis secondary to perforated diverticulitis has conventionally been managed by resection and stoma formation. Case series have suggested that patients can be safely managed with laparoscopic lavage, resulting in reduced mortality and stoma formation. Recently, 3 randomized controlled trials have published contradictory conclusions. MEDLINE from 1946 to present, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane database of Registered clinical trials and EMBASE (all via OVID) were searched using the terms "laparoscopy" AND ("primary resection" OR "Hartmann procedure", OR "sigmoidectomy"), AND "Diverticulitis", AND "Peritonitis" AND "therapeutic irrigation" or "lavage" AND randomized controlled trial and any derivatives of those terms. We included all randomized controlled trials. Data were extracted from each study using a purpose-designed template. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Revman 5. Three randomized controlled trials were identified from 48 potential studies. The analysis included 307 patients of whom 159 underwent laparoscopic lavage. Overall, the rate of reintervention within 30 days postoperatively was 45/159 (28.3%) in the lavage group and 13/148 (8.8%) in the resection group (relative risk 3.01, 95% confidence interval 1.15-7.90). There was no significant difference in Intensive Care Unit admissions, 30 and 90-day mortality, or stoma rates at 12 months. Laparoscopic lavage used in the management of Hinchey grade III diverticulitis leads to more reinterventions within 30 days postoperatively, but does not increase the 30 or 90-day mortality rates compared with sigmoid resection.

Laparoscopic Approach in Colonic Diverticulitis: Dispelling Myths and Misperceptions.

Diverticular disease is a first-class health care problem and one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in western industrialized countries, causing significant morbidity and mortality. In this review of the literature, we aim to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the laparoscopic approach in both elective and emergency setting of diverticular disease. A bibliographic search of articles was performed using the electronic database Medline from PubMed. Of 341 articles identified, 279 were excluded, resulting in 62 full-text articles for review. Our final review included 16 articles. The 16 articles included in the final review consisted of 6 retrospective studies, 5 prospective studies, 2 randomized controlled trials, 1 systematic review and meta-analysis, and 2 systematic reviews. Seven articles considered elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection, 7 articles evaluated laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, and 2 articles considered emergency laparoscopic sigmoid resection for perforated diverticulitis. The elective laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe. Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage has emerged as a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of perforated diverticulitis. Furthermore, in selected patients, emergency laparoscopic sigmoidectomy could also be feasible for perforated diverticulitis with generalized peritonitis. Laparoscopic approach can be a safe and effective option in both elective and emergency setting of diverticular disease. Large, prospective, randomized studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.